Penobscot Community Health Care is restricting the walk-in care at its clinics, after reducing hours last fall.
In a letter to patients, PCHC said it would be taking same-day appointments, rather than walk-in appointments, starting Nov. 1, WABI reported Friday.
In September 2023, the major health care provider temporarily stopped providing walk-in care in four clinics on Saturdays, and ceased walk-in services at another clinic entirely due to staffing shortages.
The provider’s dental care center in Bangor will not be affected by the change, and walk-in dental services will be available based on provider availability, according to the letter.
“As part of PCHC’s efforts to improve patient care and adapt to the evolving needs of our
patients and primary care teams, we are shifting same-day care services within our primary care model,:” the provider said in a statement provided by PCHC media liaison Ted Varipatis.
“Effective Nov. 4, walk-in care (WIC) service for patients with acute needs will be replaced
by a scheduled extension of primary care services that PCHC already provides for its patients.
This will eliminate long wait times for patients and closures currently experienced at some WIC
Facilities,”
“While the community at large will have reduced access to general walk-in care. we have been in communication with Convenient MD and Northern Light Health, and understand plans are in place to continue offering these resources to the general public.”
“We are in the process of reaching out to those who have used our WIC services in the last year to notify them of these changes.We see this change in service as a chance to enhance our care delivery, strengthen support for our primary care teams, and improve continuity of care, ultimately leading to better patient experiences and outcomes.”
The provider also noted that staffers previously working in walk-in care positions would have the opportunity to take new roles within the organization.
PCHC, like many health care providers in Maine, has experienced short staffing, and struggled last year to address a $4 million financial deficit it accrued following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before September of 2023, PCHC sold two non-clinical properties and ended its lease of an administrative building on Odlin Road in Bangor, which housed 35 employees who oversaw patient records and referrals, billing and other communications, to cut costs.
